There are so many benefits to drinking tea over coffee. You’ll hydrate yourself, get a jolt of energy without the jitters, and it helps keep cut down on staining your teeth. Teas are great ways to warm up on a cold day and get an extra boost of antioxidants, and they taste great. Add in a cup of tea every day with one of your usual drinks. It’s even more fun when you get to craft your own unique blends. You can discover your favorite combinations and keep some on hand any time you’re feeling like you need a boost. Everything you need is at your local grocery store.

Things You’ll Need

• Drawstring baggies
• Spices
• Shot Glass
• Mug
• Hot Water

The biggest question is what spices to put in the tea bag. You can create a multitude of tastes with different combinations.

Popular spices include:

• Lavender Buds
• Coriander Seeds
• Chamomile Blossoms
• Lemon Verbena
• Cinnamon
• Star Anise
• Clove
• Dried Ginger
• Black Pepper
• Black Tea Leaves
• Green Tea Leaves

Before you begin, you’ll want to know what each flavor tastes like by itself. Whether it’s spicy, warm, strong, subtle, or sweet. Once you have an idea of what the different flavor profiles are like, then you can start imagining what kind of taste you want the tea to have. Are you looking for something soothing after a long day, or do you want something to energize you in the morning?

The good news is that there is no wrong combination. Tea making isn’t an exact science. It’s up to the individual’s palette. Be creative and bold and try new spices together. Take your shot glass and fill up the glass with your different spices. You still want the tea leaf to be at the forefront, but you can dramatically change its taste with what you add to it. If you have a bold tea leaf, then you can pair it with medium to stronger flavors. If you have a subtle tea leaf, then adding in softer spices will work best.

For an energizing blend, have a black tea, with cinnamon, ginger, and some orange zest. Pack in whichever flavor you enjoy the most, and steep for 3-5 minutes. A relaxing tea blend would have chamomile blossoms, lavender buds, and a little lemon verbena. Keep things simple and let a few spices show off their personality. As you start to learn how things mix together, you can start to get more creative with the combinations.

Once you buy your spices, try to use them within the month. If they become stale, then gently crush them with a rolling pin or mortar and pestle. Breaking up the leaves will enhance their flavors when you steep. You can always add in a squeeze of lemon, some honey, or even a splash of milk.

Make your mornings complete with your very own unique tea blend. Find a favorite mug, heat up some water, and go to town. Take your time, and enjoy the process. As with anything, the more you do, the better you’ll become at it.